(content by Stephanie)
India is home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world. It is home to nearly one and a half billion people, too. That’s why you can’t get a true taste of this rich culture in a single stop. Here are the 10 most beautiful cities you should visit in India. We’ll also mention a few of the things you should see in each of these noteworthy cities.
Agra
If you’re going to visit the Taj Mahal, you’re probably going to hit Agra, first. Ara is 200 kilometers from Delhi. Many people fly or take a train to Agra and then go on to the Taj Mahal. The Itmad-ud-Daula is similar but smaller to the point it is called the baby Taj. You should visit the Agra Fort, too, when you’re here.
Pune
Pune has a number of unique landmarks. It is home to the Pataleshwar Cave Temple. That is dedicated to Shiva, a Hindu god. It is home of the Lal Mahal, also known as the Red Palace. There are also a number of modern venues, since this city is the IT capital of India.
Bangalore
Bangalore is the capital of the southern state of Karnataka. It is home of the Bangalore Palace, a royal residence modeled off of England’s own Windsor Palace. The Tipu Sultan’s summer palace is located here, too. We’d recommend taking one of the flights from Pune to Bangalore to get here.
Mumbai
Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the largest city in India. That means this city is home to more temples, museums and tourist attractions than anywhere else.
Calcutta
Calcutta was founded as an East India Company trading post. It was the capital of the Raj for more than a hundred years. This city is a must-see due to its sheer number of colonial buildings. It also houses a number of art galleries.
Goa
Goa was a Portuguese colony until 1961. That’s why it has so many churches and European-style buildings. It is known for its beaches and its spices.
Kerala
Kerala is located on the Malbar Coast. It has nearly six hundred kilometers of tropical shoreline along the Arabian Sea. It is something of a backwater, but it is home to a number of national parks. These wildlife sanctuaries are home to elephants, tigers and langur monkeys.
Darjeeling
More people are familiar with Darjeeling tea than they are the city. However, Darjeeling is a pretty town in the northeast Himalayas. You’ll be able to see Kanchenjunga Peak upon arrival. And the town is a good base station for exploring the Himalayan mountain range.
Pondicherry
Pondicherry is unusual for having been a French colonial settlement until 1954. That’s why it has a French Quarter. It has a long seaside promenade. Many locals visit to see the Ghandi Memorial here or the Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple.
Hyderabad
Hyderabad is the fourth largest city in India, partially due to its large tech sector. Yet it has a rich history. You could visit the Golconda Fort here. Or visit the sixteenth century mosque, Charminar. It overlooks the ancient Laad Bazaar that is still open today. Or you could see the Hussain Sagar, a Buddha statue in the middle of a heart-shaped lake.
